Two years removed from their first playoff berth since 1997, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to get back on the winning track by signing starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. The 30-year-old pitcher has had an up-and-down career thus far and it looks like the team is reportedly paying him $48 million over the next four years.

The former Cleveland Indians pitcher had one of his best seasons as a pro in 2013, starting 32 games, posting a 3.30 ERA and recording a 13-9 record.

Jimenez burst onto the scene in his second-to-last season with the Colorado Rockies in 2010 when he posted a solid 2.88 ERA and 19-8 record with 214 strikeouts while also throwing his first, and only, career no-hitter. People began to take notice of the young pitcher, but has since fallen off considerably.

In fact, Jimenez has posted ERAs of 4.68, 5.40 and 3.30 in his last three season — with 3.30 being the most recent mark.

Sure, he had quite the comeback season, but he has shown extreme inconsistency in his play by going from a 2.88 ERA one year to a 4.68 ERA the next and then a 5.40 ERA the next. Well, what better way to prove that you’re inconsistent than to post a 3.30 ERA the following year.

It seems as if the Orioles have overpaid for the veteran pitcher who has posted a career 3.92 ERA — paying him an average of $12 million per year.

If that’s not bad enough, he’s already 30 years old and on the way down in his career according to his age and no one will be able to guarantee a solid season from him in 2014. Heck, he might even post an ERA of over six next season and no one would be all that surprised.

Huge risk taken by the Orioles who want to win — and win now.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at connor.muldowney@rantsports.com.

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